The effect of a dentifrice containing chlorhexidine and zinc on plaque, gingivitis, calculus and tooth staining

Abstract. In this 6 months randomized, stratified double-blind parallel study, plaque, gingivitis, calculus formation and tooth staining were assessed in 208 participants. The participants either used a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse and a gum care dentifrice (positive control) or a placebo rinse and the gum care dentifrice (control) or the placebo rinse and an experimental dentifrice containing 0.4% chlorhexidine and 0.34% Zn²⁺ (experimental group). After 6 months product use, all groups had less plaque, less gingivitis and all developed calculus and tooth staining. For the positive control group and for the experimental group, significant reductions in plaque and gingivitis (gingival index and number of bleeding sites) were seen compared with the control group. Significantly more calculus developed in the positive control group, while the experimental group was not different from the control group. Finally, tooth staining was significantly higher for the groups using chlorhexidine containing products compared with the control group. The experimental dentifrice users however did develop significantly less staining compared with the positive control. It is concluded that the experimental dentifrice will contribute to a significant improvement in oral hygiene with less staining compared with using a 0.12% chlorhexidine rinse.